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Altair HyperWorks Tools
Administrative tools to customize your Altair HyperWorks installation.
HyperWorks Automation Toolkit
The HyperWorks Automation Toolkit (HWAT) is a collection of functions and widgets that allows an application to quickly assemble HyperWorks automations with minimal effort and maximum portability.
Functions
Utils
::hwat::utils::CreateContact
Creates a contact between the main and secondary.

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View new features for Altair HyperWorks 2025.1.
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Quick introduction to Altair HyperWorks products.
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Altair HyperWorks Tools
Administrative tools to customize your Altair HyperWorks installation.
- Altair License Utility
  Use the Altair License Utility to determine a managed Altair Licensing ID, check license usage, borrow licenses, and set up managed Altair Units.
- Altair Compute Console
  Altair Compute Console (ACC) is a utility that allows you to start different Altair HyperWorks Solvers.
- Remote Job Submission
  Remote Job Submission in Altair Compute Console (ACC) is implemented as an alternative to a local run.
- Remote Server User Guide
- AbaqusODB Upgrade
  AbaqusODB UpGrade is a HyperView tool, which upgrades ODB files created in Abaqus 2020 (or earlier) to Abaqus 2025.
- HgTrans
  HgTrans translates solver results files from their native file format to Altair Binary Format (ABF). This can be done using the HgTrans GUI or via the HgTrans batch mode.
- HvTrans
  HvTrans is a result translator for HyperView that translates solver result files to .h3d files.
- HWTK GUI Toolkit
  The HWTK GUI Toolkit is a resource tool for coding Tcl/Tk dialogs. It contains documentation of the HWTK GUI Toolkit commands, demo pages that illustrate our Altair GUI standards, and sample code for creating those examples.
- Cleanup Utility
  The Cleanup Utility is a script for Windows that removes any custom settings that you may have due to the Altair applications installed.
- Model Identification Tool
  The Model Identification Tool (MIT) is a profile in HyperGraph for fitting test data from frequency- and amplitude-dependent bushings to analytical models. The MIT operates in conjunction with HyperGraph, MotionView and MotionSolve to provide you with a comprehensive solution for modeling and analysis.
- Register HVPcontrol
  Register HVPcontrol registers the HVP ActiveX control for HyperView Player.
- HyperWorks Automation Toolkit
  The HyperWorks Automation Toolkit (HWAT) is a collection of functions and widgets that allows an application to quickly assemble HyperWorks automations with minimal effort and maximum portability.
  - Coding Conventions
  - Functions
    - I/O Functions
    - Math Functions
    - Solver Functions
    - Utils
      - ::hwat::utils::BlockMessages
        This function sets the block messages functionality to On or Off.
      - ::hwat::utils::BoundingBox
        This function calculates the bounding box around the given list of components or elements and returns the dimensions of the bounding box.
      - ::hwat::utils::BoundingBoxFromCompList
        This function calculates the bounding box from the given list of components.
      - ::hwat::utils::ChangeToPerformanceGraphics
        Sets the graphics mode to performance.
      - ::hwat::utils::ChangeToStandardGraphics
        Sets the graphics mode to standard.
      - ::hwat::utils::CheckEntityOutOfRange
        Checks if the IDs of the entity in the assembly lie within the minimum and maximum range.
      - ::hwat::utils::CheckTagExists
        See if a tag exists.
      - ::hwat::utils::ClearMark
        Clears the mark on the entity in HyperMesh.
      - ::hwat::utils::ConvertUnits
        Converts units from one format to another.
      - ::hwat::utils::CopyEntitiesToCollector
        This function copies the entities to the given collector.
      - ::hwat::utils::CreateCollector
        Create a HyperMesh collector.
      - ::hwat::utils::CreateContact
        Creates a contact between the main and secondary.
      - ::hwat::utils::CreateElement
        Creates an element in HyperMesh.
      - ::hwat::utils::CreateEntitySet
        Creates an entity set in HyperMesh
      - ::hwat::utils::CreateFrontPole
        Creates a rigid pole for frontal collision.
      - ::hwat::utils::CreateHmVector
        Creates a vector in HyperMesh.
      - ::hwat::utils::CreateMark
        This function clears the mark and creates a mark on the desired entities.
      - ::hwat::utils::CreateNodeList
        This function will create a list of nodes and return the list mark ID.
      - ::hwat::utils::CreateOutputblock
        Creates an outputblock.
      - ::hwat::utils::CreateRigidWallBarrier
        Creates a Rigid Wall barrier, both flat or angled.
      - ::hwat::utils::CreateRoad
        Creates a road in HWAT.
      - ::hwat::utils::CreateSidePole
        Creates a rigid pole for side impact.
      - ::hwat::utils::CreateSectionCut
        Creates a finite or an infinite section cut.
      - ::hwat::utils::CreateSystem
        Creates a new coordinate system, assigns it to a parent.
      - ::hwat::utils::CreateTag
        Creates a tag in HyperMesh.
      - ::hwat::utils::CreateTempNode
        Creates a temporary node at given location(s).
      - ::hwat::utils::CreateTitle
        Creates a title for given entity in HyperMesh.
      - ::hwat::utils::DeleteEntity
        Deletes the specified entity or entities from the loaded model.
      - ::hwat::utils::DeleteFESession
        Clears the entire HyperMesh session of all data.
      - ::hwat::utils::DeleteTag
        Delete a tag, if it exists.
      - ::hwat::utils::DeleteTempNode
        Deletes a temporary node/s.
      - ::hwat::utils::DisplayEntity
        Turns display of a HyperMesh entity off/on.
      - ::hwat::utils::DisplayUserMessage
        Displays a user message in the menu message area.
      - ::hwat::utils::DuplicateElements
        Duplicates the given elements.
      - ::hwat::utils:: EntityExists
        Check if an entity exists in HyperMesh.
      - ::hwat::utils::ExportModel
        Writes out the input deck for the solver.
      - ::hwat::utils::FilterElements
        Given a list of element IDs and element types, filters and returns only the intersection of the lists.
      - ::hwat::utils::FindAttachedEntityToGivenEntity
        Finds the list of attached entities for a given entity and puts them on mark 2.
      - ::hwat::utils::FindMaximumPenetration
        Finds the maximum penetration.
      - ::hwat::utils::FindNodeOnComponents
        Finds if the node belongs to any given component.
      - ::hwat::utils::FindRootAssembly
        Gets the root assembly for a given component or assembly.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetActualBBoxFromBBox
        Returns the actual bounding box of the nodes enclosed in the given bounding box.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetAttributeValue
        Gets the value of an attribute from the HyperMesh database.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetBBoxFromElements
        Returns the bounding box formed by given elements.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetBBoxFromNodes
        Returns the bounding box formed by given nodes.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetClosestElement
        Find the closest element in the assembly.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetComponentSystem
        Finds the system for the component.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetCompsFromAssem
        Gets the components in a given assembly.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetElementCentroid
        Finds the centroid of the element.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetEntitiesInBox
        Finds all entities in a box.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetElementNodes
        Finds the nodes of the element.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetEntityCount
        Get the total count of the entity by the given entity type in HyperMesh.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetEntityMaxId
        Finds the maximum ID for the entity.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetEntityMinId
        Finds the minimum ID for the entity.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetEntityNameFromId
        Finds the name of the entity from the ID.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetIdFromTag
        Finds the ID of the node with the given tag.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetMarkedEntity
        This function clears the mark, creates a mark on the desired entities, and returns the entities on the mark.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetMassCG
        Finds the mass, cg, and centroids of the given assembly.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetMinMaxFromElements
        Returns the 2D bounding box formed by the elements on the plane defined by the arguments.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetModelFromIntranet
        Reads the model file from Intranet.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetParentSystem
        Finds the parent of a system.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetSysVectors
        Extracts the X, Y, or Z vector of a system.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetTag
        Get tag ID.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetTitleBuffer
        Get title buffer.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetTree
        Lists the parent or child systems in a dummy. Should be used to retrieve paths without branches.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetUniqueName
        Finds a unique name for the entity.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetVectorsFromSystem
        Extracts the X, Y, or Z vector of a system.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetXYZFromNode
        Finds the coordinates of the node.
      - ::hwat::utils::GetXYZFromTag
        Returns the coordinates of the node with the given tag.
      - ::hwat::utils::HideAssembly
        Hides the given assembly.
      - ::hwat::utils::HmToVclAssembly
        Creates a duplicate copy of each resulting HyperMesh assembly as a component entity set (VCL assembly). These VCL assemblies will contain all components from the HyperMesh assembly that had a *PART card loaded/defined.
      - ::hwat::utils::ImportAndPositionOffsetBarrier
        Imports and positions the offset barrier for frontal crash.
      - ::hwat::utils::ImportAndPositionPendulums
        Imports and positions the pendulums for 581 bumper testing.
      - ::hwat::utils::ImportAndPositionRearBarriers
        Imports and positions the various rear barriers.
      - ::hwat::utils::ImportAndPositionRoofBarriers
        Imports and positions the left or right platens for roof crush.
      - ::hwat::utils::ImportAndPositionSideBarriers
        Imports and positions the various side barriers.
      - ::hwat::utils::ImportAndPositionWallBarriers
        Imports and positions the wall barriers for 581 bumper testing.
      - ::hwat::utils::ModifyAssembly
        Enables you to add components to an existing entity set.
      - ::hwat::utils::MoveEntitiesToCollector
        This function moves the entities to the given collector.
      - ::hwat::utils::PadBBox
        Pads the bounding box with the given values.
      - ::hwat::utils::PenetrationCheck
        Translates the nodes or elements along a vector until penetration is caused, and then translates in the opposite direction until the penetration is zero (less than 1e-1).
      - ::hwat::utils::PositionDummyOnImport
        Positions the dummy’s H-point at the required coordinates and, if required, rotates the dummy’s back angle by the given amount.
      - ::hwat::utils::PositionLimbs
        Positions the dummy's hands or feet to the required position.
      - ::hwat::utils::PositionOOPDummy
        Position the "Out of Position" driver or passenger dummy.
      - ::hwat::utils::PositionSystemByTransform
        Rotates and translates the system into the proper position/orientation using the transformation matrix.
      - ::hwat::utils::PostToMessageBox
        This function will post the message string on to the message log. If no text is passed the function will post the text in the global error variable to the message log.
      - ::hwat::utils:: ReadTargetLocationCSVFile
        Returns the data in a 201 Head Target Location CSV file.
      - ::hwat::utils::ReflectEntity
        Reflect the given entity.
      - ::hwat::utils::RenameEntity
        Renames entity collectors of given ID and type.
      - ::hwat::utils::Renumber
        Tries to renumber the list of IDs of the given entity so that they start with the 'startid' given as parameter.
      - ::hwat::utils::ReviewAssembly
        Turns off all components from the display and turns on only the components that are contained within the desired component entity set.
      - ::hwat::utils::ReviewComp
        Hides all of the components currently displayed, and displays the given component.
      - ::hwat::utils::ReviewSet
        Turns off all components from the display and turns on only the components that are contained within the desired component entity set.
      - ::hwat::utils::RotateEntity
        Rotate the given entity.
      - ::hwat::utils::RotateSystem
        Rotate the given system.
      - ::hwat::utils::ScaleEntity
        Scale the given entity.
      - ::hwat::utils::ScanAssemblies
        Scans a model to find if the assemblies in the passed Tcl list exist in the model.
      - ::hwat::utils::SetDebugOnOff
        This function sets the value of the global debug variable to 1 or 0 depending on the option passed. If no option is passed, the function toggles between 1 and 0.
      - ::hwat::utils::SetJointAngles
        Sets the joint angles of the dummy.
      - ::hwat::utils::SetSolver
        Sets the global SOLVER variable and sources the solver specific files. If the solver name passed is the same as the SOLVER variable, the files are not sourced.
      - ::hwat::utils::SetTag
        Updates tag using given tag ID body and label.
      - ::hwat::utils::SetTemplateFile
        Loads the template file in HyperMesh.
      - ::hwat::utils::SetTitleBuffer
        Updates the title
      - ::hwat::utils::TokenizeLine
        Tokenizes given line data based on the given separator.
      - ::hwat::utils::TranslateEntity
        Translates the entity (list of entity IDs) in the x, y, or z direction.
      - ::hwat::utils::TranslateNodes
        Translates the node(s) in the x, y, or z direction.
      - ::hwat::utils::TranslateSystem
        Translate the given system.
      - ::hwat::utils::UpdateAttribute
        Updates an attribute’s value in the HyperMesh database.
      - ::hwat::utils::UpdateContact
        Updates a contact between the main and secondary.
      - ::hwat::utils::UpdateHMAssembly
        Creates HyperMesh Assembly with name given. If the assembly already exists, it is first removed.
      - ::hwat::utils::UpdateNodeSet
        Updates an unordered node set in HyperMesh.
      - ::hwat::utils::WriteDebugMessage
        Posts debug messages to the message box where ::hwat::globals::DEBUG variable is set to 1.
      - ::hwat::utils::WriteErrorMessage
        Posts error messages to the message box
    - XML Functions
      These functions use a SAX-based parser.
    - Core Functions
      These are primarily private functions, and are not called directly in most cases. They are usually called privately by other functions as helpers.
- H3D Validation Tools
  The H3D Validation Tools available are H3D Info and H3D Validate.
- Uninstall
  Use the Altair HyperWorks Products Uninstaller to remove all files from the installation directory.

::hwat::utils::CreateContact

Creates a contact between the main and secondary.

Syntax

::hwat::utils::CreateContact name template secondaryassem mainassem type

Arguments

name: The name of the contact.
template: The template location.
secondaryAssem: The HWAT assembly name of the secondary.
secondaryAssem: The HWAT assembly name of the main. Main is not required for SingleSurface contact and should be set as {}.; Default = ""
type: SINGLESURF, SURF2SURF, NODE2SURF (default = SINGLESURF).

Returns

Success: ID of the new contact
Failure: {}

Example

::hwat::utils::CreateContact "contact1" "D:/Altair/templates/feoutput/ls-dyna/dyna.key" "VEHICLE" "BARRIER" NODE2SURF